Accommodation levels in Rio de Janeiro are anticipated to be at full occupancy during the conference. While it is not the responsibility of the United Nations to procure accommodation for the media, it should be noted that the Brazilian national organizing committee for Rio+20 has committed to blocking a minimum of 500 hotel rooms in Rio de Janeiro for media covering the conference. Costs must be covered by the media. For more details, visit: http://www.rio20.gov.br For information regarding room availability please contact: Terramar Travel Agency

A truly sustainable ?green economy? would involve economic development that takes place within the limits of nature, and ensures a fair distribution of resources among all countries and social groups - as well as between men and women. Social equity and environmental justice must remain at the heart of sustainable development, and the outcomes of the Rio+20 UN conference in 2012.

Environmental conservation is critical for maintaining the earth?s ability to continue to support life, and human livelihoods. As countries confront the challenges of providing food, fuel, shelter, health care and employment for growing populations, their governments must find ways to preserve vital ecosystems and limit the disruptions of climate change, and to manage the world?s natural resources in an equitable manner, with an emphasis on human rights, gender equality, and environmental justice.

Twenty years after the first Rio conference, great inequities remain. While the wealthy consume more and more natural resources and are responsible for increasing levels of environmental damage, the poor are suffering from degradation of their agricultural land, forests, water supplies and biodiversity, and alteration of natural weather cycles due to climate change.

Social and economic inequities are especially hard on women and children as they form the majority of the world?s poor. The UN estimates that approximately 70% of the 1.3 billion people living on less than one dollar a day are women, and these figures are rising with current food, fuel and financial crises.

We need an economy that provides incentives for zero-waste, low-carbon economies that enhance and restore the natural environment, while also providing new ?green? livelihoods, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for women as well as men.

The Green Economy paper has the following chapters:
- Women contributions are critical
- Jobs versus livelihoods ? women in the informal sector
- Government policies should recognize and promote women?s economic contributions
- The ?green economy? requires social security, family planning and childcare
- Targets, technology and training will ensure engagement of women in a ?green economy?
- We call for gender balance in decision-making and investments
- Women need secure land, property and resource rights
- ?Green jobs? need to be healthy jobs
- ?Green? energy policies must incorporate a gender perspective
- Water and sanitation are essential for women?s economic development